Jacob Cardenas

Jacob Cardenas (born September 13, 2001) is an American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competes at 92 kilograms. A four-time NCAA Division I Qualifier, Cardenas finished as a three-time NCAA Division I All-American. Cardenas is also a three-time U23 World Wrestling Championships medalist.

Career

High school Raised in Kearny, New Jersey, Cardenas attended Bergen Catholic High School, where he was a two-time New Jersey high school state champion (in 2018 and 2019) as well as capturing Super 32 and a Flo Nationals titles.

Cornell

2019–2020 Cardenas greyshirt'd during the 2019-2020 season compiling a 21-4 record competing for Spartan Combat RTC.

Cornell did not compete during the 2020-2021 season due to the COVID19 pandemic.

2021–2022 In his sophomore season at Cornell University, Cardenas competed at 197 pounds, where he qualified for the 2022 NCAA Championships. At the EIWA Championships, Cardenas placed fifth to secure an automatic NCAA bid. Cardenas went 1-2 at the NCAA tournament, finishing with a 22-8 record.

2022–2023 As a junior, Cardenas had a strong campaign at 197 lb, finishing with a 20–6 record. He claimed the EIWA 197-pound conference title, including a close 10-9 victory in the finals. Cardenas also earned his first NCAA All-American honor by placing eighth at the 2023 NCAA Championships with a 4-3 record. Cardenas finished the season with a 20-6 record.

2023–2024 During his senior year at Cornell, Cardenas had a successful season at 197 lb, posting a 28–8 record. He finished second at the EIWA Championships, and at the 2024 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, Cardenas placed fourth, becoming a two-time NCAA All-American.

Michigan 2024–2025 Following graduation from Cornell, Cardenas transferred to the University of Michigan as a graduate student for his final season of eligibility. Ivy League regulations do not allow graduate students to compete in athletics.

At the 2025 Big Ten Wrestling Championships, Cardenas advanced to the 197 lb finals, defeating top opponents including Penn State’s Josh Barr in the semifinals and then upset Iowa’s top-ranked Stephen Buchanan to win the conference title at 197 lb.

Entering the 2025 NCAA Championships as the No. 1 seed at 197 pounds, Cardenas won his opening matches via major decision and decision victories, ultimately earning All-American honors again. He reached the semifinals but fell to Penn State’s Josh Barr; Cardenas finished fourth at nationals, marking his third NCAA All-American placement and concluding his collegiate career with a 24–3 season record and a 95–25 overall collegiate record.

Freestyle At 92 kg, Cardenas captured a silver medal at the 2022 U23 World Wrestling Championships, finishing with a 3-1 record. Competing at 92 kg, Cardenas captured a bronze medal at the 2023 U23 World Wrestling Championships, finishing with a 3-1 record. At the 2024 U23 World Wrestling Championships, Cardenas captured a silver medal at 92 kg, falling to Iran's Amir Hossein Firouzpour 11-4 in the gold medal bout.

Freestyle record

Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location

Loss

Loss

Win 28-16

Loss 27-16

Win 27-15

Loss 26-15

Tirana, Albania Win 26-14

Loss 25-14

Win 25-13

Win 24-13

Win 23-13

Win 22-13

Loss 21-13

Win 21-12

Loss 20-12

Fishers, Indiana

Loss 20-11

New York City, New York Win 20-10

Win 19-10

Win 18-10

New York City, New York

Loss 17-10

Cleveland, Ohio

Win 17-9

Tirana, Albania Win 17-8

Win 16-8

Win 15-8

Win 14-8

Win 13-8

Tirana, Albania Win 12-8

Loss 11-8

Win 11-7

Win 10-7

Loss 9-7

Win 9-6

Loss 8-6

Win 8-5

Win 7-5

Loss 6-5

Pontevedra, Spain Win 6-4

Win 5-4

Win 4-4

Win

Win 3-4

Loss 2-4

Win 2-3

Loss 1-3

Loss 1-2

Loss 1-1

Win 1-0